The monkey that stars in The Hangover 2 is not addicted to cigarettes as had previously been reported.

Rumours that the animal developed the habit while filming the sequel were just a myth, created by the film’s director Todd Phillips.

The Hangover 2 monkey is not addicted to cigarettes or cocaine

He explained the rumours as a joke and indicated that doing the press for a new film can become repetitive and sometimes he likes to have some fun with the journalists.

In an email to Movieline, he said: ‘Obviously, the monkey in the film NEVER smoked a single cigarette. Even if I wanted her to smoke, it wouldn’t be allowed.’

Phillips also took the opportunity to clear up any rumours, ahead of the film’s release in May, that the monkey was addicted to cocaine.

He said: ‘By the way, she also appears to do cocaine in the movie, but I guarantee you that she didn’t do that either.’

This is not the first time the Hangover monkey has caused controversy.

Controversial scenes involving the monkey in the trailer for the film attracted a number of complaints from the public and forced The Motion Picture Association of America to remove it from big screens.

The Hangover 2 takes place two years on from the first movie, which was set in Las Vegas, and features Bradley Cooper, Zack Galifianakis, and Ed Helms.